Suzuki previews new Swift Sport ahead of Frankfurt debut

Having updated the Swift range last year, Suzuki unveiled the rather tantalizing S-Concept in Geneva a few months back. What you see here may not be quite as extreme as the show car, but carries the salient points to the showroom. And if the previous-generation Swift Sport was anything to go by, it could become a new favorite among pocket rocket enthusiasts.

Set to be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Suzuki Swift Sport upgrades on the base hatchback with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine developed specifically for this model. It churns out a modest 134 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, but considering its diminutive dimensions, that ought to be enough to deliver a real punch.

That's mated to a six-speed manual transmission and supported by a performance-optimized suspension, all of which we hope to read more about in the near future. In the meantime, though, you can check out the press release after the jump and the solitary image released thus far in full resolution above.

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NEW SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT TO MAKE WORLD DEBUT AT 2011 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

New Swift Sport: an evolution of Swift series' sporty flagship

The new generation Suzuki Swift Sport will make its world debut at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA), which will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from 13 to 25 September 2011 *¹.

The new Swift Sport is a refined sport compact resulting from the first full model change since the launch of the original Swift Sport in 2006. It has a more aggressive and dignified exterior look thanks to a low-slung form that gives a sense of stability and tension, and a big front grille that evokes a sporty performance feel. The cabin combines essential sportiness with a high-quality look and feel, and design features that heighten excitement about the driving experience.

Higher power and lower fuel consumption are delivered by the 1.6-litre M16A engine, which Suzuki developed exclusively for the Swift Sport. The engine is mated to a specially developed six-speed manual transmission, resulting in performance that is both exciting and environmentally responsible. The new Swift Sport offers superior cornering stability and brisker, more responsive handling thanks to struts with internal rebound springs and an exclusive rear-suspension design.

High levels of safety are assured by features such as a light, stiff, impact-absorbing body, seven airbags (including curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag); and ESP® (Electronic Stability Program).

Specification
Overall length 3,890mm
Overall width 1,695mm
Overall height 1,510mm
Wheelbase 2,430mm
Treads Front 1,470mm
Rear 1,475mm
Piston displacement 1,586cm³
Maximum output 100kw/6,900rpm *²
Maximum torque 160N-m/4,400rpm *²
*¹ The show will be open to the press on 13 and 14 September. It will be open to the general public from 15 to 25 September. The Suzuki stand will be located in hall 3.1, stand no A07.

*² The data is provisional pending the results of homologation procedures.
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.

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Too bad we'll never see it here in the US.
I drove a friends Swift Sport when I was in the UK for business about 2 years ago and it was very entertaining. It is such a shame that Americans always think that bigger = better.

C'mon Suziki! Bring it to the States! I'll scream and yell to the top of my lungs on blog sites that I want it, but when it actually arrives, I'll pass. But, BRING IT ANYWAY!
Signed, Random Blog Poster XOXOXO11!

As nice as this car is, I am going to get on my soap box for a moment...
For a company that makes such balls to the wall sport bikes, I'm really surprised they don't have more sporty offerings with 4 wheels. After the GSX-R/4 was shown a decade ago, I had hopes for something along the lines on an Elise from Suzuki. Oh well, one can dream... right?

I'm guessing their motorcycle and auto divisions are completely seperate from one another...which is a bummer.
This car looks great though...the front end is similar to the last VW gti but it still looks good

Someone in Suzuki's car division should 'borrow' a couple Hayabusa motors from the motorcycle division, turbocharge them, then drop them into a select few Suzuki Swifts or even SX4's. Hot hatch market set ablaze with new firepower.